Medical Toxicology Fellowship

The medical toxicology fellowship curriculum is designed to take
advantage of opportunities at the University of Virginia and to
meet the needs of the individual. Our faculty are enthusiastic
about teaching and dedicated to life-long learning. These were Thomas
Jefferson's passions.

Highlights of the Fellowship Program:

Accreditation:
The fellowship is accredited by the American College of Graduate
Medical Education.

Track systemFellows may choose a specific track to match their professional
interest and goals (research, wilderness medicine, or public
health-government toxicology).

A broad
clinical experienceIn association with the Blue Ridge Poison Center, fellows provide
care for all types of poison exposures: pharmaceuticals, drugs of
abuse, acute chemical exposures, snake/arachnid
envenomations, mushroom/plant poisonings, and occupational toxicology
poisonings. The poison center's large coverage area spreads from the
northern-most county to Southside Virginia to the rural,
mountainous western part of the state ( see
map). Occupational toxicology experiences are provided
by our close relationship with the University of Virginia and the Blue
Ridge Safety Network.

Teaching OpportunitiesEach week the fellow is expected to teach rotating residents and
medical students at the bedside and in small group sessions. Ample
opportunities are available to give formal grand rounds lectures. These
activities are observed by the faculty and feedback is provided
routinely so that skills can be refined. The faculty serve as mentors
to guide the many writing opportunities and research results that will
be submitted for publication. Presentation skills, writing skills, and
teaching techniques are presented as part of a faculty development
curriculum. Fellows are encouraged to attend teaching/faculty
development workshops offered at the University and to use the Teaching
Resource Center to refine teaching skills.Innovative TechnologyThe fellowship curriculum includes learning to use innovative
technologies for teaching. Web-Enabled Lectures, On-Line Examinations,
Telemedicine Video Conferencing, shared Web-Based Educators' Archives
and Human Patient Simulation are available to expand medical toxicology
educational programming and complement more traditional teaching
methods.

To enhance the clinical experience and demonstrate poisoning
emergencies, we use
human patient simulation to engage students in active learning in a
risk free environment.

The
Telemedicine Program at the University of Virginia provides
interactive clinical support, medical and patient education using high
speed broadband communications to the underserved areas of the
Commonwealth of Virginia . Currently there are over 50 active sites
within the UVa Telemedicine network. We broadcast educational
lectures using telemedicine video conferencing to healthcare staff at
hospitals in remote, rural, medically underserved locations.

Faculty
dedication to teachingThe enthusiastic
faculty create an environment conducive to learning, curiosity and
having fun. The faculty's hopes are to create as much excitement in
their students as they have about the specialty. The resident rotation
is popular with multiple departments (EM, IM, Peds, Psych) because of
the learning environment and enthusiastic teaching they receive.

Research
opportunitiesFellows choosing a career in academics are encouraged to spend more
time developing skills that will allow them to perform independent
research. The University of Virginia has a wealth of resources to
assist with research projects. Mentorship from successful researchers
at one of the nation's leading research Universities. Collaborative
research projects are encouraged by the fellowship and the philosophy
of the University.

Community
Disaster Response trainingIn association with the Blue Ridge Poison Center, The fellow
is able to participate in Emergency Preparedness Committee
activities, Regional Task Forces, Weapons of Mass Destruction Task
Force and assist with the hospital ED decontamination team
training.